Geelong blood donors are being urged to roll up their sleeves with the Red Cross issuing an urgent appeal for donors.
Winter flu and colds have kept donors away, leaving it running low on types A and O blood.
More than 200 Geelong donors are needed over the next week to replenish supplies.
Lifeblood Chief Customer Officer Cath Stone says its concerning to see so many empty appointment slots as the need for blood rises.
“Nationally we’re seeing up to 1,600 donation appointments sit empty every day, with many more people cancelling or rescheduling appointments,” Cath said.
“Even mild symptoms such as sniffles, sore throats, and headaches make people temporarily ineligible to give blood, and this can severely impact the availability of donors during winter months.
“We’re urging anyone who is fit and well to book an appointment now, and anyone recovering from illness to donate as soon as they can.
“Only three per cent of Australians donate blood. We’re asking people not to leave it to others, our regular donors alone cannot sustain supplies through winter, and we need more people to step up.”
Appointments can be made by the Lifeblood website.
